Lagging, subs. (thieves’).—A term of imprisonment: also Lag (q.v. subs.
sense 1). Hence, lagging-matter = a crime rendering persons liable to
transportation (Grose, 1823).
Lagging-dues, subs. (old).—See quot.
1823. Egan, Grose’s Dict. Vulg. Tongue, s.v. Lagging-dues. When a
person is likely to be transported, the flash people observe,
lagging-dues will be concerned.
Lagging-gage, subs. (old).—A chamber-pot: for synonyms see It.
1891. Referee, 8 March. All this storm in a lagging-gage is very
absurd.
Lagniappe (or Lagnappe), subs. (American).—See quot.
1877. Clemens (‘Mark Twain’), Life on the Mississippi, p. 404–5. We
picked up one excellent word—lagniappe.... It is the equivalent of
the thirteenth roll in a baker’s dozen. It is something thrown in,
gratis, for good measure. The custom originated in the Spanish
quarter of the city. When a child or a servant buys something ...
he finishes the operation by saying, ‘Give me something for
lagniappe.’ The shopman always responds.... When you are invited to
drink, and you say, ‘I’ve had enough,’ the other says, ‘But just
this one time more—this is for lagniappe.’
1884. G. W. Cable, Creoles of Louisiana, xvi. The pleasant
institution of napa—the petty gratuity added by the retailer to
anything bought—grew the pleasanter, drawn out into gallicized
lagnappe.
Lagranged, adj. (American).—Vexed.
Lag-ship, subs. (old).—A convict transport.
Laid. See Lavender and Shelf.
Laker-lady, subs. (old).—An actor’s harlot. [Saxon laker = an actor].
Lala, subs. (American).—A swell.
Lally, subs. (old).—Linen; lully (q.v.).
1800. Parker, Life’s Painter, p. 157. Dabble your lally, wash your
shirt.
Lallycodler, subs. (American).—One eminently successful in any
particular line.
Lam. See Lamb, verb.
Lamb, subs. (common).—1. A quiet easy-going person; a simpleton; a
juggins (q.v.).
1669. The Nicker Nicked (Harl. Misc., ii. 109) [ed. 1808–12]. When
a young gentleman or apprentice comes into this school of virtue
unskilled in the quibbles and devices there practised, they call
him a lamb; then a rook (who is properly the wolf) follows him
close and ... gets all his money, and then they smile and say, ‘The
lamb is bitten.’
1672. Lacy, Old Troop, i. Sisted. Why, then, it seems we religious
lambs may play with one another without sinning.
1851–61. Mayhew, Lond. Lab., iii. 216. Made him come three times
like a lamb.
2. (common).—Ironically used of a rough, cruel, or merciless person;
specifically applied to Nottingham roughs, and hence to bludgeon men at
elections. The ‘head-money’ given is called mint-sauce (q.v.).
English synonyms. Barker; basher; blood-tub; bouncer; bounder; boy of
the Holy Ground; bruiser; dead duck; hoodlum; larrikin: mug; plug-ugly;
rabbit (or dead rabbit); ramper; roarer (or roaring-boy); rough;
roustabout; rouster; rowdy; rustler; short-ear. See also generally
Furioso and Loafer.
French synonyms. Un kroumir (popular); un lascar (common); un mangeur
de nez (thieves’); un matador; un ostrogoth.
German synonyms. Troll (or Tallerwatsch).
1849. Macaulay, Hist. of England, ch. v. ‘As they had been levied
for the purpose of waging war on an infidel nation, they bore on
their flag a Christian emblem, the Paschal Lamb. In allusion to
this device, and with a bitterly ironical meaning, these men, the
rudest and most ferocious in the English army, were called Kirke’s
lambs.’
1891. Lic. Vict. Gaz., 23 Jan. Merryman had pitched on a nice level
bit of turf. It was a noisy crowd—that goes without saying—for
where the Nottingham lambs are you can hardly expect much peace and
quietness.